Effects of neurotoxic insecticides on heat-shock proteins and cytokine transcription in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

This study investigated sublethal, molecular effects of two current-use insecticides, chlorpyrifos (CP) and esfenvalerate (EV) in juvenile Chinook salmon. Heat-shock protein (hsp60, hsp70, hsp90) expression was quantified by Western blotting in muscle, liver and gill, and transcription of four cytokines (TGF-β, IL-1β, IGF-1, Mx-protein) was measured by real-time TaqMan® PCR in anterior kidney and spleen. Expression of hsp was increased in muscle and liver at ⩾1.2 and 7.2 μg/L CP, and at ⩾0.01 and 0.1 μg/L EV, respectively. Transcription of IL-1β and TGF-β was elevated in kidney at ⩾1.2 μg/L CP, while EV had no effect. No changes in cytokine transcription were observed in the spleen. Our results show that these insecticides cause cellular effects at environmental concentrations, and that hsps are sensitive indicators of sublethal exposure to CP and EV. In addition, CP may exert immunotoxic effects by altering the transcription of important mediators of the fish immune system.